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Western Power & Equipment Reports Results for the Second Fiscal Quarter

VANCOUVER, Wash.--March 17, 2005--Western Power & Equipment Corp. (OTCBB:WPEC), a dealer of construction and industrial equipment, today reported revenues for the three-month period ended January 31, 2005 were $30.34 million, an 8.5 percent increase from the $27.96 million for the three-month period ended January 31, 2004. The Company reported net income of $117,000 or $0.01 per share (basic and diluted) compared with a net loss of ($238,000) or ($0.02) per share (basic and diluted) in the prior year's comparative quarter. This is the first time in several years that the Company has reported a profit in its second fiscal quarter.

"Revenues are up from last quarter and the prior year's comparative period as a result of an improved economy and by simply becoming lean and mean," said C. Dean McLain, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. "Even though the second quarter is historically low for Western, the company managed to improve revenue and report a profit as it continues on its turnaround path. Additionally, we have signed a letter of intent with Congress Financial for $37 million in senior debt financing and anticipate signing agreements for $3-6 million with tranche B sources this month to replace the GE credit facility. We'll also infuse additional equity into the company by coming to an agreement with a private investor source over the next couple of months. Western is positioned to make continued progress in financial performance and increased shareholder value over the fiscal year."

Revenues for the six-month period ended January 31, 2005 increased 2.5% to $57.0 million compared with $ 55.7 million for the six-month period ended January 31, 2004. The Company had an 84% increase in net income for the six months ended January 31, 2005 reporting net income of $636,000 ($0.06 per basic share and $0.05 per diluted share) compared with a net income of $346,000 ($0.03 per basic and diluted share) for the prior year's comparative period.

Western returned to profitability in its fiscal year ending July 31, 2003 and continues to be profitable. The Company had previously announced that its fiscal year 2004 (ended July 31, 2004) net income was $1.9 million, a 364% increase from the previous fiscal year.

About Western Power & Equipment Corp.

Western Power & Equipment Corp. sells, leases, rents, and services construction and industrial equipment for Case Corporation and over 30 other manufacturers. The company currently operates 15 facilities in Washington, Oregon, Nevada, California, and Alaska. Western is publicly traded on the NASDAQ Over The Counter Bulletin Board (OTCBB). For more information, please contact the company at 6407-B N.E. 117th Avenue, Vancouver, WA 98662; telephone, 360-253-2346; fax, 360-253-4830; email: webmaster@westernpower.com; or visit the company's web site http://www.wpec.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Information contained herein relating to projected revenues, growth, income, potential costs savings, and future results and events constitute forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements because of a number of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to fluctuation in the construction and industrial sectors and general economic cycles; the success of the Company's entry into new markets; the success of the Company's operation of the acquired business; industry conditions and competitors; competitive pricing; the Company's relationship with suppliers; relations with the Company's employees; the Company's ability to manage its operating costs and to integrate the acquired businesses in an effective manner; the continued availability of financing; governmental regulations and environmental matters; and risks associated with regional, national, and world economies. Any forward-looking statements should be considered in light of these factors.


             WESTERN POWER & EQUIPMENT CORP. & SUBSIDIARY
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                        (Dollars in thousands)

                                                January 31,  July 31,
                                                  2005        2004
                                               -----------------------
                                               (Unaudited)
               ASSETS (PLEDGED)
Current assets:
    Cash and cash equivalents                     $      9   $      9
    Restricted Cash                                    623        408
    Accounts receivable, less allowance for
     doubtful accounts of $906 and $938,
     respectively                                    7,551     11,660
    Inventories                                     26,422     28,938
    Prepaid expenses                                   223        205
                                               ------------ ----------
         Total current assets                       34,828     41,220
Fixed assets:
    Property, plant and equipment (net)              3,426      2,620
    Rental equipment fleet (net)                     9,717     11,053
                                               ------------ ----------
         Total fixed assets                         13,143     13,673
Other assets                                           169        131
                                               ------------ ----------
Total assets                                      $ 48,140   $ 55,024
                                               ============ ==========

      LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
    Borrowings under floor plan financing         $ 10,119     14,561
    Short-term borrowings                           23,690     31,710
    Convertible debt                                    50         50
    Notes payable                                    2,317         12
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses            7,638      5,461
    Accrued payroll and vacation                       654      1,194
    Other accrued liabilities                          931      1,005
    Capital lease obligation                            28         27
                                               ------------ ----------
        Total current liabilities                   45,427     54,020
Long-term liabilities
    Notes Payable                                      543         49
    Deferred Lease Income                              278          0
    Capital lease obligation                           836        853
                                               ------------ ----------
      Total long-term liabilities                    1,657        902
                                               ------------ ----------
Total liabilities                                   47,084     54,922
                                               ------------ ----------
Stockholders' equity:
    Preferred stock-10,000,000 shares
     authorized; none issued and outstanding            --         --
    Common stock-$.001 par value; 20,000,000
     shares authorized; 10,260,300 issued and
     10,130,000 outstanding                             10         10
    Additional paid-in capital                      17,321     16,933
    Deferred compensation                              (72)
    Accumulated deficit                            (15,359)   (15,997)
    Less common stock in treasury, at cost
      (130,300 shares)                                (844)      (844)
                                               ------------ ----------
        Total stockholders' equity                   1,056        102
                                               ------------ ----------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity        $ 48,140   $ 55,024
                                               ============ ==========


             WESTERN POWER & EQUIPMENT CORP. & SUBSIDIARY
            CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                              (UNAUDITED)
           (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

                                                        Three Months
                                                            Ended
                                                         January 31,
                                                         2005    2004
                                                       ------- -------

Net revenue                                           $30,341 $27,960

Cost of revenues (includes depreciation of
   $935 and $989, respectively)                        27,346  25,147
                                                       ------- -------

Gross profit                                            2,995   2,813

Selling, general and administrative expenses            2,448   2,427
                                                       ------- -------

Operating income                                          547     386

Other income (expense):
    Interest expense                                     (717)   (690)
    Other income                                          299      78
                                                       ------- -------

Income (loss) before income tax provision                 129    (226)

Income tax provision                                       12      12
                                                       ------- -------

Net income (loss)                                     $   117 $  (238)
                                                       ======= =======


Basic earnings (loss) per common share                $   .01 $ (0.02)
                                                       ======= =======

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share              $   .01 $ (0.02)
                                                       ======= =======



             WESTERN POWER & EQUIPMENT CORP. & SUBSIDIARY
            CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                              (UNAUDITED)
           (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

                                                    Six Months Ended
                                                       January 31,
                                                      2005       2004
                                                    -------    -------

Net revenue                                        $57,085    $55,693

Cost of revenues (includes depreciation of
   $2,640 and $2,602, respectively)                 50,759     49,311
                                                    -------    -------

Gross profit                                         6,326      6,382

Selling, general and administrative expenses         4,673      4,750
                                                    -------    -------

Operating income                                     1,653      1,632

Other income (expense):
    Interest expense                                (1,340)    (1,412)
    Other income                                       347        150
                                                    -------    -------

Income before income tax provision                     660        370

Income tax provision                                    24         24
                                                    -------    -------

Net income                                         $   636    $   346
                                                    =======    =======


Basic earnings per common share                    $  0.06    $  0.03
                                                    =======    =======

Diluted earnings per common share                  $  0.05    $  0.03
                                                    =======    =======